ES2241843T3 - CONTAINER-COVER COMBINATION WITH INTRUSION EVIDENCE. - Google Patents

Abstract

A container comprises a body portion, a lid portion and, mounted on one of the body portion and the lid portion, a locking member. The locking member is movable from an unlocking position to a locking position in which it engages the other of the body portion and the lid portion to hold the lid in engagement with the body portion. The container is provided with a sealing means including a sealing member which extends between the locking member and other of the body portion and the lid portion when the locking member is in its locking position. Movement of the locking member from the locking to the unlocking position is only possible if the sealing member is rendered ineffective for further sealing use.

Description

Container-lid combination with intrusion evidence.

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to containers for storage and transportation of items and, more specifically, to a combination of sealed container and lid and / or with evidence of intrusion. A container with evidence of intrusion it is the one that can be opened (with some difficulty), but that Show evidence of intrusion. A sealed container results more difficult to open, as a result of the seal, and again shows evidence of such intrusion. As used in this document, the terms "intrusion evidence", "sealed" or "seal" are interchangeable, being able to a container "with intrusion evidence "also refer to a container "sealed".

Background of the invention

Portable storage containers plastic are well-known industrial and consumer products, and they provide important advantages in terms of strength and weight lightweight compared to containers made of others materials. They are used for various storage needs and transport, such as document files, tools Work or other household items.

A known storage container it comprises a base with four sides, a cover that covers the base and one or more transport handles. The handles are often located in the ends of the base and are an integral part of it. An element interlocking is pivotally fixed to the base and pivots towards up and over the top edge of the lid to secure the lid to base.

Such a container does not provide any protection in terms of security, thanks to which any Container intrusion can be easily identified. This feature may be of particular importance when using the container, for example, to contain files or documents of confidential nature Alternatively, a container with evidence of intrusion to contain food and drinks, in which the risk of contamination of the contents during storage and transport of container. Goods in transit such as books, clothes and other general merchandise can also be contained within such container.

Canadian Patent No. 2,019,225 describes a square combination of container and closure with evidence of intrusion that incorporates means to provide an indication visual of the closure removal. The container comprises a flange that extends peripherally with weakened corners, that break as soon as the closure is removed. The disadvantage of this provision is that once the tab has been broken, the container It cannot be used again.

Containers are also known that are provided with a replaceable security seal, which extends to through the lid and the side wall of the container attached to its top. The disadvantage of this provision is that the removal of the seal it can be very difficult without the help of a suitable mechanical element and / or the application of mechanical force. While this feature can serve to deter the unauthorized user, the legitimate consumer often regards it as inefficient and that It takes a long time, and can result in damage to the lid or the base.

GB 562291 and GB 595744 describe each a container comprising a part of the body, a part cover and, mounted on the body part, an element of interlocking These containers are provided with means of sealed in the form of a wire. The wire extends between the interlocking element and the cover part when the element of interlocking is in its locked position. The DE document 2832069 describes a container according to the preamble of the claims 1 and 22.

There is a need for a container that approaches the problem of intrusion evidence, be reusable and allow simple authorized access.

Description of the invention

According to the present invention, a container comprising a body part, a lid part and, mounted on one of the body parts or the lid, a interlocking element that moves from one position unlocked to a locked position, where it engages with the other part of the body or lid part to hold the lid hooked with the body part, the container being provided also of sealing means, including a pin or pin of intrusion evidence, and characterized in that the pin or pin of intrusion evidence extends between said element of interlocking and one of said body or lid parts when  the interlocking element is in its locked position, producing the movement of the interlocking element from the position locked to the unlocked position breaking the intrusion evidence pin or pin, which is rendered useless for subsequent use of sealing.

In an embodiment of the invention, the element interlocking is integrated with the body part or with the cover part on which it is mounted. In one embodiment, the interlocking element is permanently attached to the part of the body or cover part on which it is mounted. Preferably the interlocking element can be removed from the part of the body or part of cover on which it is mounted.

The invention also provides an element of interlocking, in which said interlocking element is adapted for mounting on one of the body parts or the lid of a container, and that when in use it can move from an unlocked position to an locked position, in the that hooks with the other part of the body or cover part to hold the lid hooked with the body part. The element of interlocking comprises sealing means, including a pin or intrusion evidence pin, and is characterized in that the intrusion evidence pin or pin extends between said interlocking element and said other part of the body and part of cover when the interlocking element is in position nestled, and producing the movement of the element of interlocking from the locked position to the position unlocked the breakage of the pin or evidence pin of intrusion, which is rendered useless for later use by sealed.

Preferably, the interlocking element is Rides on the body part of the container. Preferably, the body part comprises two side walls and two walls late. More preferably, an element of interlocking in each final wall of the body part of the container.

Preferably, the interlocking element is pivotally joins the body part or the lid part of the container

Preferably, the body and lid part of the container are made of plastic material. Can be used any known method of manufacturing the container and the lid, the preferred manufacturing process being molding by injection, whereby the container is molded into one piece, and It is typically made of a polymer such as polypropylene or polyethylene.

Preferably, the container body has of lateral reinforcement ribs. More preferably, the reinforcement ribs provided on the outer walls of the Container are provided with holes.

Preferably, the interlocking element it comprises the body part, an intermediate part and means of subjection.

Preferably, the fastening means of the interlocking element are pivotally held through of the holes arranged in the final walls of the container.

In one embodiment, the sealing means is integrated at least with the interlocking element, the part of the body or lid part. Preferably, the sealing means is Provide separately.

Preferably, the sealing element, which includes pin or intrusion evidence pin, extends between the interlocking element and said other body part or lid part, when the interlocking element is in its interlocked position, through holes provided in the element of interlocking and in said other part of the body and part of top.

Preferably, the pin or pin of intrusion evidence comprises a pin with a part of the body, a part of arms and a part of base.

Preferably, the pin or pin of Intrusion evidence is made of plastic material. Preferably, the arms are attached to the body part by A breakable union. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the body part of the pin or intrusion evidence pin It joins the base part by a breakable joint. Preferably the interlocking element movement from the position locked to the unlocked position breaks the connection breakable

This container represents an improvement over the container of an earlier state of the art in which the movement of the interlocking element from the locked position to the unlocked position causes the seal to break. Access to container is therefore achieved without the help of mechanical means or manual force The container can be sealed again by use of a new sealing element.

In an alternative embodiment the pin or intrusion evidence pin is made of materials suitable plastics, for example polycarbonate or polyamide, such that the movement of the interlocking element from the position locked to the unlocked position is only done by mechanical means The container can be sealed again by use of a new sealing element. This container is an improvement with respect to the conventional container in which the pin or pin of intrusion evidence is in such a position that it extends between the interlocking element and another part of the container. This provides easy access for removal by means. mechanics

Preferably, the pin or pin of Intrusion evidence extends substantially horizontal between the interlocking element and the other part of the container.

Preferably, the pin or pin of Intrusion evidence is properly marked, for example with a color code or is provided with data such as the date current, a number or a sequence of letters.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic view in perspective of a container according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic front elevation of a container according to the present invention.

Figure 3 represents a section of the container view along line B of Figure 2.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

An embodiment will be described below. preferred, by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings attached.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a container, generally called 1, it comprises opposite end walls 3 and 5, and opposite side walls 7 and 9, which are joined integrally in one piece to form a vertical wall rectangular continuous, and they are arranged substantially in right angle with each other and with the integral base element 11.

Preferably, the container is molded from one piece by injection molding and is made of polypropylene or polyethylene.

It will be understood that although the final walls 3 and 5 and the side walls 7 and 9 are preferably vertical, the container 1 walls manufactured by injection molding they will necessarily have a small taper due to molded

The upper edge parts of the walls end 3 and 5 and side walls 7 and 9 include a tab horizontal 13 extending outward, substantially bonded around the entire upper periphery of the container, to constitute the final tabs 15 and 17 and the tabs lateral 19 and 21.

Each final wall 3 and 5 and each side wall 7 and 9 additionally it has two reinforcement ribs that extend out 23. Ribs 23 extend vertically from the bottom edge of each end wall 3 and 5 and each side wall 7 and 9, adjacent to the base element 11, to the upper edge of each of the final walls 3 and 5 and each side wall 7 and 9. The ribs 23 are located at level with the respective horizontal tabs 15, 17, 19 and 21 in the upper edge part. Each reinforcement rib 23 of the external walls 3 and 5 is provided with a hole 25 located in an equidistant position from the upper edge of the wall final.

The ribs 23 serve to divide each wall end 3 and 5 and each side wall 7 and 9 in a central part 27 and outer parts 29 and 31. The upper edge part of each outer part 29 and 31 includes a second horizontal flange 33, which extends outward and is below the tab horizontal 13 in these parts, thus running parallel to is.

Those horizontal eyelash sections 19 and 21 of the central part of each final side wall 7 and 9 are provided with a flange suspended downwards 35, forming a inverted "L" shaped structure.

The upper area of the respective walls lateral and inverted "L" form a structure inverted in the form of a straight-sided channel. The structure in Inverted "L" remains in place, away from the outer surface of the side walls 7 and 9, by means of several reinforcement plates 37 of square shape. The reinforcing plates 37 they are of a size corresponding to the cross section of the channel inverted straight sides, and fit perfectly in the inside of the inverted channel, located along it to equidistant intervals.

A tab suspended down extends from sections of horizontal tabs 15 and 17 in the central part of each final wall 3 and 5, and is molded in the form of handle 39. Handle 39 projects outward from the respective wall final, thus providing adequate separation from each final wall 3 and 5 so that the user can place their fingers on the space defined by the separation and, with your thumb placed on the handle bar, get a secure grip on the handle and carry the box from one place to another. It will be appreciated that the structure of the channel formed by horizontal tabs 19 and 21 in the central part of each side wall 7 and 9 and by the flange suspended down 35, can also be used to transport the container, using inverted channels and plates 37 to ensure a firm grip of the container

The container 1 is adapted to receive a removable cover 41, preferably molded from one piece of one synthetic resin, for example polypropylene or polyethylene, and preferably of the same material as the base. The cover 41 is of rectangular shape, with rounded cornices, and is of such size closing the upper hole of the container 1.

The cover 41 comprises the body part 43 and a peripheral edge 45. The peripheral edge 45 of the cover 41 has U-shaped inverted and comprises an "L" profile that extends up 47, a ledge 49 that extends horizontally from it and an "L" profile that extends substantially down 51. The "L" profile that is extends down 51 ends at end 52 to project from the ledge 49 of the cover 41 below the plane of the part of the main body of the cover 41 (see Figure 3).

It is provided with reinforcement plates 53 shaped rectangular at various intervals around the periphery of the lid, within the space defined by the "L" profile that is extends up 47, the cornice that extends horizontally 49 and the top of the "L" profile that extends towards down 51.

The peripheral edge 45 of the cover 41 is adapted to fit over the tab that extends horizontally out 13 and below the second tab horizontal 33, thus running parallel to it, so that the end 52 of the "L" profile extending towards down 51 is level with the outer edge of the second horizontal tab 33, which is below.

With particular reference to Figure 2, the removable interlocking element 55 includes a body part, which in itself comprises an elongation bar 57, in which each edge thereof is provided with holes 59 and 61 and which is integrally associated with intermediate parts 63 and 65, from which the male connecting elements 67 and 69 extend. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the element of interlock 55 is molded entirely with container 1.

When in use, each male joint element 67 and 69 of the interlocking element 55 is inserted in its respective hole 25 located in each reinforcement rib 23 of the end walls 3 and 5. The interlocking element 55 can now freely pivot on a line parallel to the upper edge of the container The lateral movement of the interlocking element it is avoided by the presence of parts 71 and 73, which are of greater cross section that the hole arranged in the ribs of reinforcement 23.

The lid 41 is then placed on the container 1 and ledge 49 is placed on tab 13 of the container. He "L" profile extending down 51 of the cover 41 is It is level with the outer edge of tab 33.

To allow the removable cover to catch with the container, an interlocking element 55 arranged in each final wall 3 and 5 of the container and pivotally attached to each reinforcement rib 23 located therein pivots towards  up from a first interlocking position to a second position, where each interlocking element 55 engages with the lid 41 and keeps the lid engaged with the part of the body.

Each corner of the main body part of the interlocking bar is provided with a hole 59 and 61. The "L" profile extending down 51 of the edge peripheral 45 of the cover 41 is similarly provided with about holes 75 and 77, such that when the interlocking bar has pivoted up towards the peripheral edge of the lid, it have a continuous passage through the holes in the bar interlocking and "L" profile extending to below, so that the pin-shaped sealing means or intrusion evidence pin 79 can be inserted into the same. Figure 3 illustrates this juxtaposition of parts with more detail.

The skilled worker will appreciate that the intrusion evidence pin can include a variety of forms and accomplishments. In a preferred embodiment, the intrusion evidence pin 79 comprises the body part 81, the part of the arms 83 and the part of the base 75. In a embodiment of the invention, the part of the arms 83 joins the body part 81 via a breakable connection. In a alternative embodiment of the invention, body part 81 is joins the base part 85 through a breakable connection.

When in use, a pin 79 is inserted through each step provided by each hole of each bar of interlocking 55 and the "L" profile extending towards below 51. This pin is made of any suitable material, for example polystyrene, so that after the insertion of the pin through each hole, the part of the arms retracts towards the body part. Once the pin has passed through  from each hole, the arms are allowed to expand outward and be placed, along with the head part, in the defined area by the horizontal tab 13 of the container 1 and the second horizontal tab 33. Figure 3 illustrates the interrelation between the interlocking element and the sealing element of the invention. The body part 81 of the evidence pin of intrusion 79 extends between holes 59, 61 and 75, 77, arranged in the interlocking element, and the "L" profile extending down 51 of the cover 41.

To get access to the contents of container, the interlocking element 55 must pivot from the second position, vertical, where the body and the lid of the container are hooked, to the first position, unlocked. The nature of the intrusion evidence seal is such that the interlocking bar movement from said position interlocked until said unlocked position causes the rupture of breakable areas of the pin. The pin is disabled for a subsequent use of sealing and must be replaced before the box can be sealed again. In this way, the invention provides a sealing configuration with evidence of intrusion, where any illegitimate interference with the container It can be easily identified.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, The sealing means comprises a pin or pin in which the parts of the base and arms are rigidly secured to the part of the body and cannot be separated from it.

The pin is inserted through the passage provided for each hole of the interlocking bar 55 and of the "L" profile that extends down 51. After the insertion of the pin through each hole, the part of the Arms retracts towards the body part. Once the pin has passed through each hole, the arms are allowed to expand outward and be placed, along with the head part,  in the area defined by horizontal tab 13 of container 1 and by the second horizontal tab 33. The body part of the pin extends between the holes arranged in the element interlocking and "L" profile extending downward 51 of cover 41.

The parts of the base and the arms are joined rigidly to the body part, thus preventing the movement of the interlocking element from the locked position to the unlocked position, and forming a permanent seal that cannot break manually.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the sealing element is integrally associated with the element interlocking The advantage of providing a sealing element separately, as shown, is that this is the only element that It needs to be replaced.

To minimize the possibility of an intruder could, in an effort to cover his tracks, replace the used sealing element by another of the same type, in a embodiment of the invention a part of the sealing element, by For example, the body or base part is marked using a proper marking technique, for example, the date of purchase of the sealing element. Alternatively, the sealing element can be coded with a color or marked with a particular logo of the Company, a name or a keyword. The user will feel Quiet knowing that even if the intruder is "a professional "and the sealing element has been replaced, any intrusion is still evident, since it is very little a third party is likely to have access to a pin or pin that has been coded with a color or date, or marked a particular way

Claims (22)

1. A container comprising a body part (1), a cover part (41) and, mounted on one of the body part or the cover part, an interlocking element (55), which can be moved from a position unlocked to a locked position, in which it engages with the other part of the body or the cover part to keep the cover engaged with the body part, the container of sealing means including a pin or pin being also provided of intrusion evidence (79), and characterized in that the intrusion evidence pin or pin (79) extends between said interlocking element (55) and said other body part (1) and the cover part (41) when the interlocking element is in its locked position, causing the interlocking element (55) to move from the locked position to the unlocked position, the breakage of the intrusion evidence pin (79), which is rendered unusable for use po sterior of
sealed. 2. A container according to claim 1 in the that the interlocking element (55) is integrated with the part of the body (1) or the cover part (41) on which it is mounted. 3. A container according to claim 1 in the that the interlocking element (55) is permanently attached to the body part (1) or the cover part (4) on which ride 4. A container according to claim 1 in the that the interlocking element (55) can be removed from the part of the body (1) or of the cover part (41) on which ride 5. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the interlocking element (55) pivotally joins the body part (1) or the lid part (41) of the container
swimmer 6. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the element of interlocking (55) is mounted on the body part (1) of the container. 7. A container according to claim 6 in the that the body part (1) of the container comprises two walls sides (7, 9) and two end walls (3, 5), and the element of interlock (55) is mounted on at least one end wall of the part of the body (1) of the container. 8. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the interlocking element (55) comprises the body part (57), an intermediate part (63, 65) and joining means (67.69). 9. A container according to claim 8 in the that the joining means (67, 69) of the interlocking element (55) they are pivotally joined through holes (25) provided in the final walls of the container. 10. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the sealing means (79) it is integrated with at least the interlocking element (55), the body part (1) or that of the cover (41). 11. A container according to any of the claims 1 to 9 wherein the sealing means (79) is provided separately. 12. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the pin or pin of intrusion evidence (79) extends between the element of interlocking (55) and said other body part (1) and cover part  (41) when the interlocking element (55) is in position interlocked, through holes (59, 61, 75, 77) provided in the interlocking element (55) and in said other part of the body (1) or cover part (41). 13. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the pin or pin of intrusion evidence comprises a pin (79) with a part of the body (81), a part of arms (83) and a part of base (85). 14. A container according to claim 13 in that the arms (83) are attached to the body part (81) by A breakable connection. 15. A container according to any of the claims 13 or 14 wherein of the body part (81) of the intrusion evidence pin or pin (79) joins the part of the base (85) by means of a breakable connection. 16. A container according to any of the claims 14 to 15 wherein the movement of the element of interlock (55) from the locked position to the position unlocked breaks the breakable connection. 17. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the pin or pin of Intrusion evidence (79) is made of plastic material. 18. A container according to any of the claims 1 to 13 and 17 wherein the pin or pin of intrusion evidence (79) is made of a material such that the movement of the interlocking element (55) from the position locked to the unlocked position is only done by mechanical means 19. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the pin or pin of intrusion evidence (79) is in a position such that extends between the interlocking element (55) and another part of the container. 20. A container according to claim 19 in that the pin or pin of intrusion evidence (79) is extends substantially horizontally between the element of interlocking (55) and the other part of the container. 21. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the body part (1) and the Container lid (41) are made of plastic material. 22. Interlocking element, in which said interlocking element (55) is adapted for mounting on the body part (1) or lid part (41) of a container, and which when used can be moved from a unlocked position to a locked position where it engages with the other body part (1) and cover part (41) to keep the cover (41) engaged with the body part (1), the interlocking element (55) comprising ) a sealing means comprising an intrusion evidence pin or pin (79), and characterized in that the intrusion evidence pin or pin (79) extends between said interlocking element (55) and said other body part ( 1) and cover part (41) when the interlocking element (55) is in its locked position, causing the movement of the interlocking element (55) from the locked position to the unlocked position the breakage of the pin or evidence pin of intrusion (79), which It is rendered useless for subsequent sealing use.